Starting switch



June 19, 1923.

WITNESS:

J. GALAMB STARTING SWI IIGI'I Filed Oct. 18 '1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 I Ir y a I 4 ATTORNEY.

June 19, 1 923 J. GALAMB STARTING SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 18,19 20 WITNESS: 44

INVEN 0R.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented June 19, 1923.

1,459,051 OFFICE.

JOSEPH GALAMB, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY, OF-

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

STARTING SWITCH.

Application filed October 18, 1920. Serial No. 417,595.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH GALAMB, a citizen of the United Statesresiding in the city of Detroit, county of ayne and State of Michigan,have invented new and useful Improvements in a Starting Switch, of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide 1 1 an improved starting switchof simple, du-

rable, and inexpensive construction,

A further object of my invention is to rovide a switch having a movingor actuatmg member which will withstand a great cover especiall deal ofabuse, and which is arranged to rotect the electrical portions of theswitch from such abuse.

A further object of my invention 1s to provide an improved switch casingand adapted for use with a switch such as 1s set in the floor of anautomobile for connecting the starter motor with the battery.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in combination with suchswltch, a combined base and supporting bracket of novel construction.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists inthearrangement, combination and construction of the various parts of myimproved device, as described in the specification, claimed in myclaims,

and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top orplan view of my 1mproved switch.

Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional view therethrough.

Figure 3 is a'similar view taken at rlght angles to the plane of Figure2. Figure 4 is a horizontal sectlonal v1ew taken on the line 4-4 of Fiure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarge showing a slightly difi'eren-t form of myimproved devlce.

Figure 6 is a plan View of a blank from which the enclosing casing forthe switch handle is made; and

Figure 7 is a plan view of the blank from which one of the members,which carries the switch proper, is formed.

Referring to the accompanying draw ngs, I have used the referencenumeral 10 to lIlCllcatc, generally, a base member which is ofsubstantially triangular shape. One corner sectional view of the basemember is designed tosupport a cover member A, and the remaining cornershave openings 11 therein, designed-to receive bolts or other fasteningmeans whereby the switch may be mounted on any suitable portion. of anautomobile frame. The cover member A comprises a central horlzontal web12, a downwardly extending flange 13; and a horizontal flange 14 at thebottom of the flan e 13. The flange 14 has a pair of openings t ereindesigned to receive screws 15 whereby the cover may be screwed to thebase. Adjacent to the center of the web 12 is an opening of somewhatirregular The switch rod casing is formed from a substantially ob'lonblank B havin a plurality of cars 1 thereon at one This blank is rolledto substantially cyhndrical shape with its axis so arranged that thecars will all be upon its lower end. Openings 16 are so arranged thatthey exactly correspond with the ears 17 whereby, when the casing B ismounted on the cover A then that these ears may enter the openings andbe bent over against the under side of the web 12 to thereby secure thecasing B to the cover A; to hold the former from movement relative tothe latter.

- Mounted for reciprocation within the central opening in the cover A,is a switch rod 18 which may or may. not be of irregular cross section,complementary to the cross section of the central opening in the covermember, to thereby keep the rod 18 from rotation. In the form of switchillustrated in Figure 5 the switch rod is substantially round, whereas,in the remaining figures it is shown as being of hexagonal shape. The

switch rod 18 has contracted portions 19 and 20 at either end thereof,and a cap C guide for the upper end of the switch rod and also preventsforeign matter from entering the casing B Mounted on the contractedportion 20 of the switch rod 18 are a plurality of lamina tions. 24which are composed of resilient metal and form a bar switch member D. Asleeve or Washer 25 and washers 26 and 27 mounted on the contractedportion 20 insulate the bar switch member D from the switch rod 18. Theupper washer 27 has its ends 28 bent over the edges of the laminations24 to also insulate these edges. Mounted above washer 27 is a lockingmember E which is formed from a rectangular blank such as is illustratedin Figure 7 This blank has U shaped cuts 29 formed therein, adjacent toeither end to thereby form a pair of tongues 30. A central opening 31 isprovided to receive the contracted portion 20. of the switch rod.Tongues 30 are bent upwardly along the switch rod on the dotted lines32, and the remaining portions of the ends are bent downwardly along thesides of the laminations 24 and the flanges 28 of the washer 28 on thedotted lines 33. The

tongues 30, where they extend upwardly through the central opening inthe cover A, are received in corresponding coacting portions of theopening so that such portions of the opening will co-act with thetongues 30 to hold the member E from rotation relative to the cover. Thedownwardly extending ends of the member E will also enga e thelaminations of bar switch member to prevent the rotation of the latterso that the switch rod may be reciprocated without causing or allowingthe bar switch member to rotate relative to the casing. Mounted withinthe casing B and encircling the switch rod 18 is a coiled spring 34which engages the cap C and the cover A to push the operating rod to theupper limit of its movement and to normally hold it in this position.

Extending through the base 10 are a pair of contact members 35 which, inthe form here shown, are composed of flat-headed bolts extended throughopening in the base but insulated therefrom/by insulated washers 36. Anut 37 and lock nut 38 are screwed onto the bolt 35 to hold the bolt inthe base and at the same time to form a binding post for feed wires 39.Notches 40 are rovided in the heads of the contacts 35, so t at they maybe held from movement, when desired, against the taming of the nuts 37and 38.

The practical operation of my improved device has been brought out fromtime to time in the course of this specification but it will beunderstoodthat my switch is especially adapted for use as, what istermed, a starter switch for automobiles,'although its use is notconfined to that purpose. Where the switch is so used the base 10 is theparts, the fact that the operating rod must be extended for somedistance from the switch itself, the great strain on a switch mountingand the switch due to the fact that it is operated bythe foot of thedriver, and due to the large amount of dirt and other foreign materialwhich naturally accumulates around the floor boards of an automobile.

With my improved switch it will be seen that when a base member issecured to the frame of a machine then that the operator may press hisfoot against the cap C without doing any damage to the switch orcontacts, as the pressure which he can apply to the parts is limited bythe cap C or the contact of the operating rod with the base and theresiliency of the bar switch member. The switch itself is also protectedfrom dirt by the fact that the cover member A is formed from one pieceof material, and by the fact that the enclosure of the operating rod'makes it substantially impossible for foreign matter to get into theswitch proper.

The construction of the base forms a combined base and supportingbracket, and makes it substantially impossible to break the switch bypressure or a blow thereon, such as is normally likely to occur. Thearrangement of the device E is such that the bar switch member may beused thereby securing the advantages due to the simplicity of itsconstruction, and also the possibility that the switch member may rotateout of position to contact with the contacts 35 is entirely eliminated.

Some changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of thevarious parts of my improved device without departing from the spirit ofthe invention therein, and it is my intention to cover by my claims suchchanges as may be reason- I venting rotary movement of the headrelativeto the base.

2. In a device of the class described, a base comprising a substantiallytriangular plate, a circular cover secured to said base adjacent to onecorner" thereof, whereby a end adapted to enter the second described csaid first described ope openings in the cover whereby said ears may bebent over to secure the casing to the cover, a switch rod received insaid casing and extending through the first described opening in thecover, said rod having contracted portions at either end thereof, a caphaving a flange thereon secured to one of said contracted portions withthe flange slidably receivin the free end of the casing, a bar switcmember mounted on the second contracted portion of the rod, insulatin-members mounted between the bar and t e rod, and means mounted on theinsulating members and rod adapted to coact with the irregularities ofthe outline of the first described opening to hold the switch bar fromrotating.

- 3. In a device of the class described, a

base comprising a substantially triangular plate, a clrcular coversecured to said base adjacent to one corner thereof, whereby a switchchambermay be formed on one side of the base, said cover having acentral 0 ening therein of irregular outline and a p urality of spacedopenings adjacent to ning, a cylindrical casing mounted on sald covermember with one end surrounding the first described 0 ening, said casinbeinfg b ank rolled to cylindrical orm and having ears at one endadapted to enter the second described openings in the cover whereby saidears may be bent over to secure the casing to the cover, a switch rodreceived in said casin and extending through the first describe openingin the cover, said rod having contracted portions at either end thereof,a cap having a flange thereon secured to one of said contracted portionswith the flange slidably receiving the free end of the casing, a barswitch member mounted on the second contracted portion of the rod,insulating members mounted between the bar and the rod, a pair of spacedcontacts on the base in position to co-act with said bar member, andmeans mounted on the insulating members and rod adapted to co-act withthe irregularities of the out line of the first described opening tohold .formed of a' the switch bar from rotating relative to said contactmembers.

4. Ina device of the-class described, a base. comprising a substantiallytriangular plate, a circular cover secured to said base adjacent to onecorner thereof, whereby a switch chamber may be formed on one. side ofthe base, said cover having a central opening therein of irregularoutline and a plurality of spaced openings adjacent to said firstdescribed opening, a cylindrical casing mounted on said cover memberwith' one end surrounding the first described opening, said casing beingformed of a blank rolled to cylindrical form and having ears at one endadapted to enter the 'second described openings in the cover wherebysaid ears may be bent over to secure the casing to the cover, a switchrod received in said casing and extending through the first describedopening in the cover, said rod havin contracted portions at either endthereo a cap having a flange thereon secured to one of said contractedportions with the flange slidably receiving the free end of the casing,a spring encircling the rod between the cap and cover adapted toyieldingly hold the rod at one limit of its movement, a bar switchmember mounted on the second contracted portion of the rod, insulatingmembers mounted between the bar and the rod, and means mounted on theinsulating members and rod adapted to coact with the irregularities ofthe outline of the first described opening to hold the switch bar fromrotating.

5. In a device of the class described, abase comprising a substantiallytriangular plate, a circular cover secured to said base adjacent to onecorner thereof, whereby a switch chamber maybe formed on one side of thebase, said cover having a central opening ieo therein of irregularoutline and a plurality of spaced openings adjacent to said firstdescribed opening, a cylindrical casin mounted on said cover member withone en surrounding the first described opening, said casing being formedof a blank rolled to cylindrical form and having ears at one end adaptedto enter the second described openings in the cover whereby said earsmay be bent over to secure the casing to the cover,

a switch rod received in said casingand extending through the first,described opening in the cover, said rod having contracted portions ateither end thereof, a cap having a flange thereon secured to one of saidcontracted portions with the flange slidably receiving the free end ofthe casing, a spring encircling the rod between the cap andcoveradapted' to yieldingly hold the rod at one limit of its movement, abar switch member mounted on the second contracted portion of the rod,insulating members mounted be-f tween the bar andrtherod, a pair ofspaced contacts on the base in position to co-act with said bar member,and means mounted on the insulating members and rod adapted to coactwith the irregularities of the outline of the first described opening tohold the switch bar ,from rotating relative to said contact members.

6. In a device of the class described, a base comprising a substantiallytriangular plate, a circular cover secured to said base adjacent to onecorner thereof, whereby a switch chamber may be formed on one side ofthe base, said cover having a central opening therein of irregularoutline and a plurality of spaced openings adjacent to said firstdescribed opening, a cylindrical casing mounted on said cover memberwith one end surrounding the first described openin said casing beingformed of a blank rolled to cylindrical form and having ears at one endadapted to enter the second described openings in the cover whereby saidears may be bent over to secure the casing to the cover, a switch rodreceived in said casing and extending through the first describedopening in the cover, said rod having contracted portions at either endthereof, a cap having a flange thereon secured to one of said contractedportions with the flange slidably re ceiving the free end of thecasing,. a bar switch member mounted onthe second contracted portion ofthe rod, said bar member being composed of laminations of resilientmaterial, insulating members mounted bebetween the bar and the rod, andmeans mounted on the insulating members and rod adapted to co-act withthe irregularities of the outline of the first described opening to holdthe switch bar from rotating.

7. In a device of the class described, a base comprising a substantiallytriangular plate, a circular cover secured to said base adjacent to onecorner thereof, whereby a switch chamber may be formed on one side ofthe base, said covering having a central opening therein of irregularoutline and a plurality of spaced openings adjacent to said firstdescribed opening, a cylindrical casing mounted on said cover memberwith one end surrounding the first described opening, said casing beingformed of a blank rolled to cylindrlcal form and having ears at one endadapted to enter the second described openings in the cover whereby saidears may be bent over to secure the casing to the cover, a switch rodreceived in said casing and extending through the first describedopening in the cover, said rod having contracted portions at either endthereof, a. ca having a flange thereoncsecured to one oi said contractedportions with the flange slidably re ceiving' the free end of thecasing, a .bar switch member mounted on the second contracted portion ofthe rod, said bar member being composed of laminations of resilientmaterial, insulating members mounted between the bar and the rod, a pairof spaced contacts on the base in position to co-act with said barmember, and means mounted on the insulating members and rod adapted toco-act with the irregularities of the outline of the first describedopening to hold the switch bar from rotating relative to said contactmembers.

8. In a switch, a cover having an openin therethrough, a switch rodslidably mounte int-said opening, a switch member secured to the rodwithin the casing, and a locking device having portions turned down toengage the switch member and portions turned up to engage said cover tot ereby prevent the switch member from rotating relative to the casingwhile permitting reciprocating motion of the switch member and rod.

9. In a switch, a cover having an openin therethrough, a switch rodslidably mounte in said opening, a switch member secured to the rodwithin the casing, a locking device having portions turned down to enage the switch members and portions turne up to engage saidrcover tothereby prevent the switch member from rotating relative to the casingwhile permitting reciprocating motion of the switch member and rod, andmeans for insulating the switch member from the rod and cover.

10. In a switch, a cover havin an opening therethrough, a switch rodslidably mounted in said opening, a switch member secured to the rodwithin the casing, said member comprising laminations of resilientmaterial, and a locking device having portions turned down to engage theswitch member and portions turned up to engage said cover to therebyprevent the switch member from rotating relative to the easing whilepermitting reciprocating motion of the switch member and rod.

11. In a device of the class described, a base comprising asubstantially triangular plate, a circular cover secured to said baseadjacent to one corner thereof, whereby a switchchamber may be formed onone side of the base and the remaining portion of the base may form abracket which may be secured to a support to form a mounting for theswitch, said cover having a central opening therein of irregular outlineand a plurality of spaced openings adjacent to said first describedopening, a c lindrical casing mounted on said cover mem er with one endsurrounding the first described opening, said casin bein formed of ablank rolled to cylindrical orm and having ears at one end adapted toenter the second described openings in the cover whereby said ears maybe bent over to secure the casing to the cover, a switch rod received insaid casing and extending through the first described opening in thecover, said rod having contracted portions at either. end thereof, a caphaving a bers and rod adapted to co-act with the irflange thereonsecured to one of said conregularities of the outline of the first de-10 tracted portions with the flange slidably rescribed opening to holdthe switch bar from ceiving the free end of the casing, a bar ro a ing.6 switch member mounted on the second contracted portion of the rod,insulatin mem- JOSEPH GALAMB. hers mounted between the bar and t e rod,Witness: end means mounted on the insulating mem- EDWARD L. DAVIS.

